Dalymount, 1963, Ireland 3-2 Austria

The last time Ireland defeated Austria was in Dublin in 1963 in front of almost 40,000 at Dalymount Park in a European qualifier.

Having drawn 0-0 in Vienna three weeks earlier, Ireland progressed to the last eight of the European Nations Cup thanks to a 3-2 win with two goals coming from Manchester United’s Noel Cantwell.

Austria took the lead in the 38th minute through Walter Koleznik. Cantwell scored the equaliser just before half-time to spark a pitch-invasion from the capacity crowd at Dalymount.

The Irish side, including Johnny Giles and the great Charlie Hurley, regained the lead through a Karl Koller own goal on 65 minutes but with eight minutes left, the visitors levelled matters with a strike from Rudolf Flogel.

With just one minute remaining a handball in the Austrian box gifted Ireland a penalty. Cantwell stepped up to slot home to spark the second pitch invasion of the day and secure the win for Ireland.

The win over Austria essentially made Ireland quarter-finalists for the 1964 European Nations Cup. Up until 1980, only four teams qualified for the final tournament. Sadly over two legs to reach the finals, Ireland were beaten 5-1 by Spain in Seville before losing 2-0 in the return leg in Dalymount.

The current squad has a connection to that day as goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly’s father was between the posts. (Kelly Jnr. was on duty the last time the sides met in Vienna in 1995 when a 3-1 defeat heralded the end of Jack Charlton’s time as Irish manager).